One April weekend each year, the 7,800-population southeastern Louisiana city of Ponchatoula welcomes 300,000 more to celebrate the strawberry and strawberry farmers.
This year's Strawberry Festival runs Friday-Sunday, April 12-14, at Memorial Park, located at 301 N. Sixth St. in Ponchatoula.
Long labeled "Strawberry Capital of the World," the charming town halfway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans in more recent years has added the title "America's Antique City." That moniker was born after a sleepy downtown with many unoccupied storefronts was given a new life with antique stores, boutiques, gift shops, restaurants, nightspots and the like lining both sides of the main drag, Pine Street.
Exiting at Ponchatoula off Interstate 55 takes visitors right to Main Street, but a word of warning: The most direct path into town gets super congested during festival weekend.
Festival chairman Lou Ann Ragan LeBlanc has three words of advice — get there early.
Amanda Frayle of Metairie heads for home with a flat of strawberries during the 2023 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.
"Yeah, best thing is try to get into town early so you won't be fighting all the interstate traffic," she said. "There will be empty parking lots around town, some free, some pay to park. Some people will be parking them in their yards. Just park the best place you can — just don't double park anywhere."
A lifelong Ponchatoulan, the chairman says she's turning to a higher power when it comes to weather for the festival.
"I just pray, 'No rain.' That's all I pray," she said.
LeBlanc's likewise seeking divine intervention concerning this year's berry harvest.
"The strawberries, they're very plentiful right now," LeBlanc said, adding that she hoped late March storms didn't change current strawberry conditions.
Showers have seldom halted the town's biggest party since the first one-block-long festival in 1972.
"Well, it's funny because last year we had a muddy mess (after first-day rains), and I figured people wouldn't come out," LeBlanc said. "I think they came out more to play in the mud than anything. I could not believe they just took their shoes off and just had a good old time."
During festival hours — noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday — crowds can take in carnival rides, live music, contests (strawberry eating and egg toss), a parade that rolls at 9:30 a.m. Saturday — and just about anything strawberry when it comes to food and drink.
Reminiscent of that scene in "Forrest Gump" where Bubba rattles on myriad food dishes starring shrimp, LeBlanc began: "The food is wonderful. You have deep-fried strawberries, strawberry shortcake, strawberry ice cream, strawberry sno-balls, strawberry beer, strawberry daiquiris. … I mean, it's just unbelievable."
For something more substantial, there's seafood, pizzas, burgers, jambalaya, street corn and more.
Berries ripen on the bush in a Ponchatoula strawberry farm last week. 'The strawberries, they're very plentiful right now. … They're beautiful,' said Strawberry Festival Chairman Lou Ann Ragan LeBlanc.
For the kids, don't pass up Education Square, LeBlanc noted.
"There's going be different educational things for children, and everything that's gonna be in there is strictly for them," she said. "There's also going to be a man there with a big welding bus for the adult kids."
Education Square will be located in the parking lot at Sixth and Hickory streets next to City Hall. Look for the gigantic strawberry monument, a perfect spot for a selfie.
Official festival grounds incorporate the park and the second block of North Sixth Street, LeBlanc said. That's where you'll find the 50-plus nonprofits manning their food and other types of booths.
Moving southward toward Pine Street, you'll find more for-profit arts and crafts, food and souvenir booths, games and contests.
Before or after walking around the festival, hit Pine Street for shopping, shopping and more shopping, said Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce President Carlene Melton.
"Our antique stores will be open, our boutiques, home décor stores, floral and gift shops, our feed and seed store," she said. "People undervalue those (the feed and seeds). You find some really great things in there, some unique little items."
The town also has a vibrant arts scene anchored by Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center, 220 E. Oak St., with exhibits, seminars, performances and other events all year. Art galleries, photography studios and stores also include Revival Art House, Hemmerling Kalle Gallery, The Art Station, Stinky Mud Photography and Mandy Mae Fine Art.
"Everything's ready. We're just waiting for the weekend to get here. Everybody's excited," LeBlanc said.
WHERE TO DINE
Roux & Brew: 135 S.W. Railroad Ave. Fresh fish and seafood, Louisiana favorites, burgers salads, hand-cut steaks, Saturday brunch. (Note: The restaurant will be open until 8 p.m. Friday on festival weekend and closed Saturday-Sunday so staff can enjoy the fest as well).
El Rancho Mexican Grill: 1625 U.S. 51, Suite A. Authentic Mexican cuisine including steak and shrimp a la diabla, grilled tilapia and fish tacos for lunch and dinner.
The District: 100 W. Pine St. Sophisticated cocktails and food, including appetizers, salads, Louisiana specialties, burgers and more.
Pink Agave: 129 E. Pine St. Dine indoors or out on upscale Mexican dishes, "boujee drinks" and a daily brunch.
Joe's Italian Ristorante: 1625 U.S. 51, Suite F. Fine Italian fare from chicken cremora mushrooms to veal parmesan, wine bar, daily lunch specials.
La Carreta: 147 N.W. Railroad Ave. Casual Mexican, including fajitas, burritos and tacos. Also offers small plates and quick bites.
WHERE TO STAY
Airbnbs: Whether you'd prefer a cottage in town just blocks from the festival grounds or a cabin in the country alongside the Tangipahoa River, there are plenty of choices in the city or in nearby Hammond.
Motels: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, 727 W. Pine St. In nearby Hammond, Courtyard by Marriott, 1605 S. Magnolia St.; Comfort Inn, 110 Westin Oaks Drive; Holiday Inn, 1819 S.W. Railroad Ave.
